Mission and History

MISSION

RECLAIM’s mission is to increase access to mental health support for queer and trans youth so they might reclaim their lives from oppression in all of its forms.

At RECLAIM, we work to provide financially and culturally accessible care to queer and trans youth and their families, as well as continue to train practitioners and partner in community to create systems of change at the intersection of gender and racial justice.

HISTORY

The recession-induced defunding of care for our most marginalized people in the Twin Cities had a devastating impact on queer and trans youth in particular. In 2009, District 202, a community center for queer and trans youth lost its physical space and the LGBT youth counseling program at Face to Face was also cut. In response, queer and trans youth and their allies acted quickly to raise $35,000 in pledges in just three weeks and RECLAIM was born.

In the years since, RECLAIM has provided accessible therapeutic support to queer and trans youth through individual, family, and group counseling, integrative health care, advocacy, education and collaboration. In this unique healing space, queer and trans youth are supported to transform themselves and take leadership in co-creating RECLAIM’s work.

RECLAIM’s magic is in the deep and healing relationships that are fostered between youth and staff. Each year, we serve 130+ queer and trans youth, ages 12-26 , and each month we serve 65 individual youth, many of whom come weekly for both individual and group therapy and social support. We also serve POC Practitioners in an effort to change the landscape of access to care in Minnesota, which will increase access for queer and trans youth of color and their families. In addition to these specific youth, practitioners and community members, we broadly serve the communities we are a part of, as we all experience well being when the most vulnerable among us are empowered to heal.

The importance of our work is well demonstrated through the words of a current client: “If it were not for RECLAIM’s advocacy, I wouldn’t still be here.” Over 90% of our clients identify as trans, almost 40% as people of color (POC), and all between the ages of 12-26. The majority of our clients are under-insured, and many remain unable to access insurance. To the best of our knowledge, we remain the only barrier-free queer and trans youth-specific therapy resource in the region.

2017 Annual Report

Please take a look at our 2017 Annual Report by clicking the link below!

Celebrate the Love

Save the Date! Celebrate the Love is February 24th. For more information on the event and event sponsorship or to register, please click here.

Donate for Support

RECLAIM’s work is possible because of your support! To make a tax deductible contribution, please send a one time or monthly check, donate online, or let us know how you would like to support our work.